Educational Opportunity Program

Applications for STEP 2020 will be accepted beginning May 15, 2020. Students are strongly encouraged to apply to STEP early since enrollment is limited. Students must complete and submit a STEP application online via Google Forms.

You must have your UCSB NetID and password in order to access the application. An incomplete application and/or an application submitted after the deadline will jeopardize STEP enrollment. Students experiencing any difficulties with the online application process can contact the EOP office directly at 805-893-2558.

Forgot your UCSB NetID? Visit UCSB Identity and Directory Services

The priority deadline to submit a STEP application is June 19, 2020 at 11:59 pm. The final deadline to apply for STEP is June 26, 2020 at 11:59pm.

EOP fall 2020 admitted frosh are eligible to attend STEP. Selection is based on EOP membership, prior college preparatory program involvement, a personal statement, and first generation status. Our expectation is that competitive student applications be thorough and completed to the best of the ability of the student. Transfer students are not eligible to attend STEP. For transfer student resources please consider applying to the EOP Summer Transfer Transitional Program (STTP) and vist the: UCSB Transfer Student Center website.

STEP 2020 is free of charge to EOP students.

STEP 2020 participants will NOT be required to submit the $25 deposit. 

 

No. The courses which students complete during STEP will provide an opportunity to prepare students for professor expectations and the demands of college coursework at the university.

 

EOP encourages all students to attend a Summer Orientation session to register for their fall classes. Registration during STEP is NOT GUARANTEED. Students’ schedules may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis without the guarantee of the chance to register. Please note that classes fill quickly and EOP has no control over class availability. For more information about Orientation, please visit: http://www.sa.ucsb.edu/orientation/FreshmanOrientation/index.aspx

Freshman Orientation is a two-day visit to UCSB where students have an opportunity to:

• Receive extensive academic advising and register early for fall classes
• Learn about the academic environment and undergraduate research
• Meet other new students and make friends
• Experience residence hall living
• Explore ways to get involved in campus activities
• Meet UCSB faculty, staff, and administrators
• Discuss important first-year college issues
• Learn about campus life from current UCSB students
• Get all of your questions answered about coming to campus
• Learn your way around UCSB

We highly encourage and recommend attending orientation.  

No. Traditionally, STEP participants have been expected to complete STEP while residing in an on-campus residence hall. In order to maintain the spirit and effectiveness of the program, participants will be required to attend all required classes, mandated workshops and scheduled events. It is in the student’s best interest to make a commitment to complete STEP to understand the effectiveness and benefits of STEP and EOP.

 

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Analytical Writing Placement Exam was not offered in May 2020. UCSB's Writing Program is developing Writing Placement 2020, an alternative assessment for students who did not meet the requirement by one of the other means listed above. Students will be contacted regarding this alternative assessment, and the details will also be made available on the Writing Program's Academics web page (https://www.writing.ucsb.edu/academics).

Writing Placement 2020 will be offered during the summer as well as once a quarter on campus, and a student may fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement with an appropriate score. Students may take either the UC system-wide Analytical Writing Placement Exam (if an online AWPE is scheduled) or the writing placement process at UCSB; neither may be repeated.

The Freshman Summer Start Program (FSSP) is a six-week long summer program designed to allow UCSB first-year students an opportunity to get an early start on their academic careers in an intellectually stimulating and socially supportive environment. The program aims to help students make a successful academic transition from high school to the university.

For more information
E-mail fssp@summersessions.ucsb.edu 
Phone 805-893-2377 
Fax 805-893-7207 

STEP is a free 1-week residential, non-unit bearing program offered through EOP.

FSSP is a 6-week program offered through the university: Students enroll for 8-13 credited course units. Financial aid is available to help cover FSSP expenses. 

No. STEP & FSSP program dates overlap with each other, so the STEP program does not allow students to participate in FSSP while attending STEP.

A student’s decision is strictly a personal one based on what a student wants to accomplish. Both programs provide unique opportunities and engage the participant at multiple levels within the university environment. STEP and FSSP are unique programs. Students are encouraged to think about what their personal and academic goals are at the university while making the decision about which program to attend.

Please contact the EOP office directly at 805-893-2558   or EOP-STEP@sa.ucsb.edu